ActionAid Zambia Statement on the 2027 National Budget Expectations

Lusaka, 3rd  November 2026 – As Government prepares the 2027 National Budget, ActionAid Zambia is calling for increased, predictable and accountable investment in agriculture to support inclusive growth, strengthen climate resilience, and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people.
ActionAid Zambia welcomes the Government's continued commitment to agricultural transformation through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), the Comprehensive Agriculture Transformation Support Programme (CATSP), and the Grow Zambia Agenda. These frameworks provide a strong foundation for advancing food security, creating jobs, increasing productivity, and promoting sustainable agricultural development.
However, ActionAid Zambia notes that ambitious policy commitments must be matched by adequate financing and effective implementation if Zambia is to achieve meaningful transformation of its agricultural sector.

While Zambia has made progress in financing agriculture, allocations have not consistently met the CAADP target of allocating at least 10% of national budget expenditure to agriculture.
ActionAid Zambia is therefore urging Government to:
• Present a clear, costed and time-bound roadmap towards achieving the 10% CAADP financing commitment.
• Increase the agriculture sector allocation to at least 8.5% of the national budget in 2027 as a transitional milestone.
• Invest beyond input support programmes and strategic grain purchases by expanding funding for agricultural research, extension services, irrigation, storage, rural infrastructure, agro-processing, livestock development, and fisheries.
• Strengthen institutional capacity and improve budget execution, transparency and accountability.

Climate change continues to pose significant risks to Zambia's agricultural sector, with recurrent droughts and erratic rainfall threatening food production and rural livelihoods.
ActionAid Zambia is calling for increased investment in:
• Climate information services and early warning systems.
• Irrigation infrastructure, water harvesting technologies, and small-scale water systems.
• Research and extension services focused on drought-tolerant crops and climate-smart farming practices.
• Climate-responsive budgeting and contingency financing mechanisms that support vulnerable farming communities.

The organisation emphasises that proactive investment in preparedness is more cost-effective and sustainable than relying predominantly on emergency responses after disasters occur.

ActionAid Zambia recognises the important role of the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in maintaining national food security. However, the organisation stresses the need for a more predictable, transparent and sustainable approach to grain reserve management and agricultural markets.
Key recommendations include:
• Establishing a transparent strategic grain reserve framework with clear stocking and reporting mechanisms.
• Enhancing FRA operational efficiency and predictability in procurement and farmer payments.
• Expanding crop and livestock insurance schemes for smallholder farmers.
• Strengthening social protection programmes, including the Social Cash Transfer Programme, to support vulnerable households during shocks and crises.

Women remain at the centre of Zambia's agricultural sector but continue to face barriers in accessing land, finance, productive assets, extension services and markets.
ActionAid Zambia urges Government to:
• Improve access to affordable finance and productive resources for women and young farmers.
• Support community seed banks and farmer-managed seed systems.
• Increase women's participation in agricultural planning, budgeting and monitoring processes.
• Invest in rural services and infrastructure that reduce women's unpaid care and domestic workload.

ActionAid Zambia emphasises that the success of CAADP, CATSP and the Grow Zambia Agenda will depend on strong accountability systems and meaningful citizen participation.
The organisation calls on the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, and other relevant institutions to:
• Demonstrate measurable progress towards agricultural financing commitments.
• Institutionalise participation of civil society organisations, farmers, women and youth in budgeting and expenditure tracking.
• Publish timely information on agricultural allocations, expenditures and results.
• Apply gender-responsive and climate-responsive budgeting approaches.

The 2027 National Budget presents a critical opportunity for Zambia to convert its agricultural transformation commitments into tangible results. ActionAid Zambia believes that increased investment, stronger institutions, climate resilience measures, and targeted support for women and young people are essential to building a sustainable and inclusive agricultural sector.
We call on Government to make clear progress towards the CAADP 10% financing target, invest across crops, livestock and fisheries value chains, and ensure that public resources effectively improve food security, rural livelihoods and economic opportunities for all.

Signed
Faides TembaTemba
Executive Director
ActionAid Zambia